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Questions and Answers about the
Secular Order of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
- Is the order canonically established?
Not yet. Canonical recognition by the Church can take
many years or centuries. We are advised not to seek canonical recognition. The
Order's Rule/Constitution are derived from an approved Rule in the Church.
It is the Servite Rule (Servants of Mary). We have been advised not to
seek approval until we have sufficient "fruit" to warrant this
approval. The test of time and holiness of members is very important.
- Do you have bishops and
priests who are supportive of you locally? Yes
we do. Each community is required to have a Priest/Spiritual Director.
In addition, each community is required to notify the Bishop of the Diocese
of the community's existence. If a Bishop does not tell you to cease
and desist, he is permitting you to exist in the Diocese. All
Chancellor offices should know who and what we are.
- Can you explain what is
meant by "Divine Will"? I understand when one surrenders
oneself to God's Will-that is truly a beautiful thing. But I am not
sure if this is what is meant here. My
husband Rory & I were first introduced to Divine Will in 1994. At
first I thought it was the same as doing God's Will, but it is really
different. We have learned about Divine Will mostly be reading and
studying the writings of Luisa Picarretta, Servant of God. I won't go
into all the details of her life, but only that she had a 1st grade
education and Jesus instructed her to write down everything he taught her
about His Divine Will. She wrote 36 volumes. To be brief, Divine
Will is the emptying of oneself and letting God's Divine Will reign in the
soul. Asking the Divine Will to animate and generate every thought,
word & deed of the soul. It's becoming one with the Blessed
Trinity. Studying Divine Will teaches you about the Divinity &
Divine Sufferings of Our Lord and how it differs from His and our humanity,
and how we can participate in His Divinity. It has much to do with the Our
Father Prayer - "Thy Kingdom Come Thy Will Be Done on Earth as it is in
Heaven". I could go on and on, but it would take pages
& pages.
- Are others in the Church
accepting of the habit you wear? Our
habit is similar to other Secular Orders or Institutes. We have pin
identification, official habit stated in the Rule (grey slacks/skirts
& black tops) for men & women and requires formation prior to
final acceptance.
- What does it cost me to be in the Order?
Spiritually, everything for God demands your total
Will. We go along with God's prescription for life eternal in the
Divine Will. Financial:
We accept an initial $20.00 to help defray the cost of all the materials and
items that are given to a new novice. Each community may also establish a
small stipend which is used to bring in speakers, purchase items for the
poor and sick, help finance the Order's special needs and have Masses said
for the sick and dead. People who can not donate can give what they
want. We also would appreciate donations for those who can.
- What are the prayer requirements? Ans.
page 3, chapter 3, Rule of Life. Pray, Pray, Pray. Live in the
Divine Will thereby making all your acts prayers and particularly doing the
Dolar Rosary each day. Most do Mass and other forms also. We
also recommend the Prayer of the Order and Prayer for Vocations daily.
- What inspired the founding members to begin
the Secular Order of Jesus, Mary and Joseph? Chapter 1, page of the Rule. The Servites (Servants of Mary) is an approved
Rule in the Church. It is the root of our rule of Life. In additions, we
were inspired and used the spirituality expressed in Sister Natalie of
Hungry's book - "Victorious Queen of the World". Pope John Paul
II's encylical, Christifidelis laici, and a personal visit to the Holy
Father in Rome culminated the entire movement that exists today. In
addition, the Secular Order of Jesus, Mary and Joseph began in St.
Petersburg, Florida as a movement of the Holy Spirit to promote family life,
atonement and reparation and advanced prayer for the holiness of
individuals. the rule adopted is an approved rule of the Church. In addition
the writings of Sr. Natalie of Hungry and His Holiness, John Paul II were
used to implement the Rule and Constitution.
- Can I join the Order if my Spouse will not?
No. We do not want to be a wedge in a marriage.
Exceptions to this Rule are terminal illness, etc.
- Where can I get materials on
the Order? On the
internet at http://www.sojmj.com.
- Is the Secular Order of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
(JMJ) affiliated with the John Paul II institute of Christian
Spirituality...Hugh Owens...what is his status? What was and is Ron
Lee's connection...founder/formulator..? Yes or no...affiliation.
We are supporters of the JP II
Institute. Most members are associates. Ron Lee was also an Assistant
Director for some time and was instrumental in the beginning of JP II
Institute. Hugh Owens is a friend of the Secular Order. He is not a member
of the Secular Order as he is already a Third Order Augustinian.
- Ron Lee was a founder of
the Secular Order of JMJ. He personally was instructed the Pope to begin
the Order and allow it to flourish.
- The current Prior General
is Ron Lee, JMJ. It is his third term and he will not be eligible to
have the office for 3 years.
- Ron Lee has been an
approved teacher of the Divine Will.
- Have we official recognition and the blessing
of John Paul II and what is the natural process of becoming an approved
religious order? We
were blessed by John Paul II in November 1991. We will evolve and seek
formal recognition in the future. We are waiting for various souls to be
approved by the Church since our spirituality is immersed with their
writings.
- Who is Tom Fahy and what is his involvement
with Divine Will? Tom
Fahy was appointed the official Divine Will Representative for English
speaking people in the United States by Arch Bishop Cassati.
Corato, Italy. He is the founder of the Center for Divine Will in
Jacksonville Florida and he is on the committee for the Beatification of
Luisa Piccarreta. Tom distributes many English translations of her works.
- Who is Father Joseph Iannuzzi?
Father Joseph Iannuzzi is
a priest who began the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit. The Order is also
linked and supported to us and the their work to spread the mission of the
Divine Will through the spirituality of Luisa Piccarreta's writings. He is
currently studying in Rome at the Gregorian University in a doctoral program
on Luisa Piccarreta's writings. We are "all" friends and support
one another as God leads.
- Is the postulant cross worn in
or out of clothing? The
postulant cross is worn in. At Community meetings and other official
functions we wear it out as a sign of our profession of faith and
identification of profession as a lay religious in the Secular Order.